When Queen Elizabeth II died in September 2022, Prince William inherited two of King Charles III’s most important roles: Duke of Cornwall and Prince of Wales. These roles come with significant responsibilities, including managing the $1 billion Duchy of Cornwall property empire.

Hoàng tử William và vua Charles III

William has been preparing for these duties since birth, often accompanying his father in an unofficial apprenticeship. Despite expectations, he has made it clear he will not follow exactly in his father’s footsteps. In a 2018 interview, William emphasized his intention to bring his own approach to these roles.

The Duchy of Cornwall, founded in 1337, spans over 52,000 hectares of land across Britain. It provides the monarch’s eldest son with an annual income, which in the 2022/23 financial year was £24 million ($30.7 million). William, however, received only a portion of this as he took over midway through the year. He faced criticism in 2023 for not publishing an annual report detailing his income and expenditures, a practice his father maintained.

William is free to shape the duchy according to his interests, unlike Charles, who focused on architecture and organic farming. William has expressed less interest in architecture and hinted at minor adjustments rather than major changes.

Hoàng tử William Homewards

Since taking on these roles, William has streamlined their focus, particularly on homelessness. In 2023, he launched the Homewards homelessness initiative through the Royal Foundation. This project aims to develop a scalable model to end homelessness in Britain. Additionally, in February 2024, the Duchy of Cornwall announced a housing project in partnership with the charity St. Petrocs, aiming to provide 24 homes for the homeless in Cornwall by 2025.

William’s approach contrasts with Charles’ broader focus, opting for targeted initiatives with the potential for significant impact. While Charles has not publicly commented on William’s methods, he acknowledged in 2018 that his son would likely take a different path.

As Prince of Wales and Duke of Cornwall, William continues to define his own approach, focusing on core areas where he believes he can make a substantial difference.